This estimate represents the “worst-case scenario” for the hospital, which is already nearly a decade behind schedule.

However, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust reported that recent testing for bacteria suggests a complete refit may not be necessary.

Located on the Royal Victoria site, the hospital has faced numerous delays but was expected to open next year. After the trust took possession of the building in March, tests revealed high levels of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) in the water systems, causing a significant new delay.

Subsequent issues with medical gas pipework were also identified, requiring approximately £50,000 (€60,320) to fix.

According to a Northern Ireland Audit Office report, the unit was originally slated for completion by the end of 2015.

The Assembly’s health committee met on Thursday to address the hospital’s challenges. Interim Chief Executive Maureen Edwards presented interim findings from an independent review, describing it as “forensic” and delayed by the complexity and volume of samples collected.

She noted that recent sampling showed a decrease in overall bacterial levels, with pseudomonas detected in fewer outlets—down from 36% to 18%.

However, these results are based on a single round of sampling and are incomplete.

The trust is implementing remediation measures to reduce contamination and move the hospital closer to opening. These measures include localized works costing £750,000–£1 million (€904,803–€1.2 million) over three to four months or, in the worst-case scenario, a full replacement of domestic pipework at a cost of £7–£9 million (€8.44–€10.86 million) over four years.

Ms. Edwards emphasized that a full replacement is unlikely based on current data. A middle-ground solution could involve localized repairs and a new water system for neonatal and theatre areas.

All scenarios require an additional commissioning period of five to six months to prepare the hospital for patients.

Ms. Edwards explained that the trust accepted the hospital’s handover from the contractor after samples met a high threshold of 2% failure.

However, subsequent testing showed increased levels of pseudomonas.

Regarding the gas pipework defect, she said it involves 30 meters of piping and can be resolved quickly. “It is not a critical path issue and will not delay the opening of the hospital,” she added.